Navigating the Outsourcing Decision: Choosing Between a BPO and Direct Hiring
There are key differences between the business models of BPO firms and freelancer marketplaces. However, the combined power of the two can produce remarkable outcomes. Once you’ve learned to see through the myths surrounding outsourcing, you can move on to making a choice. Should I use a business process outsourcing company, or find a direct employer? It’s no secret that some sectors of the West’s corporate world view outsourcing with suspicion. They have painted offshore outsourcing in a negative light, claiming it will lead to the collapse of the global economy.
In other quarters, however, it is viewed as an excellent strategy for increasing output while also satisfying customers and limiting expenses. The executives at these companies know the worth of outsourcing jobs to other countries. They understand that hiring top talent while keeping costs low is essential if they want to continue offering competitive prices to customers and creating new employment opportunities in the area as they expand. These advantages are made possible by offshore outsourcing.
Comparing Outsourcing to International Trade is Pointless
Let’s back up for a second and define outsourcing so we know what we’re getting into. In particular, outsourcing jobs to countries outside of the U.S. The term “offshore outsourcing” refers to the practice of contracting the provision of services to an individual or group located outside of the paying party’s country. This is typically expressed in terms of hard currency. Western firms pay a fee for South African workers to complete specific work for them.
Researchers at Harvard found, “There is a poor understanding regarding trade as a whole when discussing the topic of outsourcing. There has been a widespread misconception, perpetuated over many years, that any gains made by one country in international trade must be offset by losses incurred by another.
In passing, some people share the belief that businesses that generate or have finances are bad, which is related to the above viewpoint. Some will spearhead crusades to ruin the achievements of the successful by attacking their character and smearing their methods. That there must always be a loser in any situation where there is a winner is central to their worldview. Everyone who goes into business to make a profit is unethical. This same group of people will then go on to discuss methods of… what? How to turn a profit!
Outsourcing VS. Direct Hiring
An entrepreneur, firm, or brand can outsource to South Africa in one of two ways. The first is to work with a business process outsourcing (BPO) firm like IconAF, and the second is to hire independent contractors on your own. Both are extremely helpful and can significantly improve any business. Which one is best for you is something only you can decide.
Let’s compare and contrast the two to see what makes each unique. When you have all the information, you can choose the option that works best for your company.
Direct Hiring
Directly employing a freelancer in South Africa is one form of outsourcing that business owners and managers can take advantage of. There are online resources where you can connect with qualified candidates for the position you’re trying to fill. Freelancers will advertise their experience, expertise, and availability for specific jobs on these sites. You can read up on the various freelancers who have published there and contact them directly for a low monthly fee.
There Are Benefits and Drawbacks to This, of Course
will need to be very selective in who you employ from these sites because there is no screening process in place. Requesting references or a portfolio can help you evaluate a potential hire’s work history.
These sites also typically have a search function with filters, so you can narrow down the resumes you see to only those that fit the criteria you have in mind. So be prepared to do some heavy lifting. You will be responsible for setting up the interviews and conducting any necessary online research.
The potential for financial savings is a major selling point for many business owners and managers considering using such a platform. You can hire a highly skilled freelancer for much less than you would have to pay an employee in your city because you will be dealing with them directly.
Does That Make the Freelancer an Employee?
In a word, no. Remember that your freelancer will be required to foot the bill for their tax payments and medical insurance and that they won’t be eligible for many of the benefits and perks they would receive at a BPO when negotiating a fair rate of pay for them. All legitimate South African freelancers and businesspeople with an entrepreneurial spirit should check out these sites. They are motivated to take on the risks inherent in starting and running their own company.
Ensure that your freelancer has a plan in place for handling unexpected situations. such as power outages, are common in South Africa due to the lack of Power generation in the country. The majority of legitimate freelancers will possess a backup internet connection and generator in case of power outages. Moreover, you should inquire as to the freelancer’s backup plan in case their laptop or desktop crashes. These are all issues that need to be discussed with the freelancer to avoid any slowdowns in output.
When Using A BPO To Outsource
‘BPO’ is an abbreviation for ‘business process outsourcing. That is exactly what it is like to work with a business process outsourcing (BPO) firm. You are employing a third party to handle administrative tasks, data entry, management of social media, and customer service for your company. Any job that can be performed remotely, like a freelancer, can be outsourced to a business process outsourcing (BPO) partner.
The business model of the BPO firm is very different from the one used by freelancer websites. The BPO takes care of a lot of the grunt work so you don’t have to. For example, the BPO will manage the process of finding qualified applicants for the open position by your specifications. This could mean, for example, that out of 200 people who apply to work with you, only one will be chosen.
Background checks, verification of past employment, tests of English proficiency, typing tests, and any other examinations that may be necessary for the position you’re trying to fill will all be administered by the BPO partner. You can save time and effort by performing this preliminary screening.
Payment to the agent or agents is also managed by the BPO partner. You will receive a single bill every month that will be calculated based on the number of hours worked. A bill and timesheets from your agent(s) that have been authenticated by your accountant will be sent to you every 30 days.
The BPO Will Handle All of the Management for You
Monitoring your remote virtual employee or team can be a major pain. Monitor their attendance, key performance indicators, and other metrics instead of doing it yourself, which can be time-consuming. This is yet another advantage of outsourcing to a BPO. They keep track of these metrics on your behalf, which isn’t the case when you hire an individual through a freelance platform.
Partnering with a BPO company allows you to take advantage of their workforce management services and have access to an account manager who will monitor your agents’ overall productivity. Hiring team leaders and an operations manager is essential when assembling a sizable workforce. However, they would be managed under the BPO’s aegis and with its assistance.
This does not imply that you will be helpless. However, as a BPO partner, they will collaborate with you to achieve your objectives. Their custom-built teams are an integral part of their client’s businesses.
This Is Your Chance to Decide
Ultimately, it’s up to you to determine which option is ideal for your situation. Some managers and business owners prefer to avoid middlemen and handle every aspect of the management processes themselves. That’s good, and we encourage that because we value honest South African freelancers. If you go that route solely to save money, however, you may end up spending more on agent sourcing, training, and possibly even replacement as you try to find the right fit.
Working with a business process outsourcing (BPO) company will provide you with greater assistance. Let’s be honest: it will cost more than if you were to hire the person directly. But when you consider the perks, the time you save, and the caliber of the agents BPO companies source, you’ll agree that it’s money well spent.